Marine Police Retrieves Body of 9-Year-Old Girl

The body of a 9-year-old girl, Shanitah Nanyonga, who drowned at Kabuuma, Makindye Ssabagabo, in Wakiso district has been recovered.

Nanyonga, drowned in a water channel near her school in Kabuuma when she was sent back by the teacher to pick a pen. The children cross over a large water channel which was full to the brim after Wednesday’s heavy downpour.

Police after being alerted by the community members who saw the Primary Four child downing, arrested the school’s director Esther Kibirango and Peter Ssentongo the security guard. Kibirango said the children often cross the channel accompanied especially when it has rained.

“Our children are often accompanied when it has rained and they also walk in groups. But I was not aware that the teacher had sent the girl back home to pick a pen. Unfortunately, we have lost the life of a young,” Kibirango told police.  

Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson said marine police worked alongside the community to retrieve the body. He added that the deceased’s body has been taken to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.

“Shanitah's aunt had escorted her to school, but she returned home to pick up a forgotten pen. Sadly, while crossing the water channel, she slipped and fell in. The school is just 10 meters from the water channel, which carries a significant amount of water,” Onyango said.

The school at which Nanyonga was a pupil is called Kid's Nest Nursery and Primary School. Police launched the search on Thursday but the body was retrieved on Friday. Parents and schools have warned parents against sending children to school accompanied especially during the rainy period.

Maritime records show more than 200 people drowned in lakes in 2024 with Lake Victoria registering the highest number of fatalities. In addition, more than 40 people drowned in pits, rivers, water channels, trenches, ditches and septic tanks.